No 5 Natural Disasters 自然灾害
In the context of global warming, natural disasters, such as typhoons, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, landslides and volcanic eruptions, often strike out of nowhere, causing deaths, injuries and damage. When a volcano erupted, it seemed as if the world were coming to an end. But in my opinion, earthquakes and tsunamis have the most destructive effect.
在全球变暖的背景下，台风，飓风，龙卷风，洪水，干旱，泥石流，火山喷发等自然灾害经常突然袭来，造成（人员）伤亡和（财产）损失。当火山喷发时，似乎就像到了世界末日。但在我看来，地震和海啸最具破坏性影响。
On May 12th, 2008, an 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan County and turned 90 percent of quake-stricken area into ruins. Many were buried under bricks. Those who survived the quake were in shock and suffered a lot. With roads covered by cracks, the rescue team used helicopters to evacuate survivors and deliver supplies.
在2008年5月12日，一场8级地震袭击了汶川县，把震区的百分之九十化为了废墟。很多人被埋在了砖块之下。那些幸存下来的人也惊魂未定，深受其害。由于道路布满裂缝，救援队只能用直升飞机来疏散幸存者，运送物资。
2004 saw the deadly Indonesia tsunami. Huge waves crashed into coastlines and swept away everything. All cities lay in ruins and victims had to put/set up shelters in the open air. Pipes and power lines were damaged or destroyed, affecting the supply of water, electricity and gas. At length, the number of deaths stood at 290,000.
2004年时发生了致命的印尼海啸。巨大的海浪冲上海岸线，卷走一切。所有城市都沦为废墟，灾民不得不在室外搭建栖身之处。管道和电线都被破坏或摧毁，影响了水电气的供应。最终，死者总数多达29万。
In the event of a disaster, governments should supply emergency supplies like first aid kits, aiding the disaster-hit areas to breathe again and revive. In times of being trapped, the public should stay calm, tapping on a metal pipe on hand or whistling for help. In summary, we must unify efforts and wisdom to get survival and revival.
万一发生灾害，政府应该提供像急救包这样的紧急物资，帮助灾区缓过气来并恢复生机。在被困时，公众应该保持冷静，（同时）拍打手边的金属管道，或吹哨子来求助。总之，我们必须统一我们的努力和智慧，以获得幸存和复苏。
选背：Tears welling up in his eyes, an eyewitness of Wenchuan Earthquake said. “That day of terror often slid into my dreams. Never before in history has a city been so completely ruined. Everywhere you looked, there was nothing but ruins”. Referring to the rescue work, he cracked a smile. “Somehow this worst disaster brought out the best in the survivors. Out of gratitude, they volunteered to help carry out first aid in a wish to save more people who suffered from terrible injuries.”
泪水一边涌出眼眶，汶川地震的一位目击者一边说：“那恐怖的一天经常溜进我的梦境。历史上从来没有一座城市被如此彻底地摧毁。举目所及，遍是废墟。”提到救援工作，他又咧嘴笑了：“不知怎么地，这次最糟的灾害引发了幸存者心中最美好的（品质）。出于感恩，他们自愿帮忙进行急救，希望能救更多受了重伤的人。”